State of the Market

[willendure]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oy1OdiNYiYE

And see the comments also. Its not just us contractors that are finding it hard.

[avonleigh]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oy1OdiNYiYE

And see the comments also. Its not just us contractors that are finding it hard.

Very interesting video and very scarey at the same time. Feel sorry for Starmer, in that this has come about by incompetance by successive governments. But at the same time I don't see that he has a clue how to improve things.

[Cookielove]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oy1OdiNYiYE

And see the comments also. Its not just us contractors that are finding it hard.

Interesting watch....

The hike in ER NI was a big mistake and should be reversed, it is a massive hit on small businesses.

The minimum wage is just too high ....I now couple of people at my place earning just under £30k paying their travel costs and living costs and studied it's just not worth it when you see min wage is £22k... that needs to be lowered it is impacting businesses paying such a high min wage more so in the north for example where businesses may no be able to afford it.

It is a really sorry state of affairs...

[dsc]

Interesting watch....

The hike in ER NI was a big mistake and should be reversed, it is a massive hit on small businesses.

The minimum wage is just too high ....I now couple of people at my place earning just under £30k paying their travel costs and living costs and studied it's just not worth it when you see min wage is £22k... that needs to be lowered it is impacting businesses paying such a high min wage more so in the north for example where businesses may no be able to afford it.

It is a really sorry state of affairs...

Cost of living is already at a scary level, so we can't really go backwards with wages, although this is exactly what I see is happening on the market, wages are dropping to 2008-2010 levels. It's bloody austerity 2.0 across the board which is mad as we all know how well that works (as in, doesn't).

[oliverson]

Very interesting video. Interesting and worrying but thanks for posting.

Interview tomorrow (short term gig). First in probably 4 years! Wish me luck!

[TheDude]

Interview for a fully remote perm role.

There is an online code test that requires access to desktop, camera and microphone.

Any attempt to block browser, use an IDE or attempt to use a tablet etc is an instant fail.

Seems a little harsh.

[rocktronAMP]

Interview for a fully remote perm role.

There is an online code test that requires access to desktop, camera and microphone.

Any attempt to block browser, use an IDE or attempt to use a tablet etc is an instant fail.

Seems a little harsh.

If they want see how you code, why don't they remote pair-program with the developer?

The answer no, because that they cannot or will not invest the time with a technical lead or senior dev to help. They deserve all they get.

[willendure]

Cost of living is already at a scary level, so we can't really go backwards with wages, although this is exactly what I see is happening on the market, wages are dropping to 2008-2010 levels. It's bloody austerity 2.0 across the board which is mad as we all know how well that works (as in, doesn't).

True, I am earning at pretty much the same level as I was in 2009. Seemed like really good money back then, not so much now!

[oliverson]

True, I am earning at pretty much the same level as I was in 2009. Seemed like really good money back then, not so much now!

No dividend tax back then. Allowances higher, slice of the flat rate VAT scheme good for a couple of grand, property prices much lower, EVERYTHING much lower, old school IR35, loads of contract work. Millions less in the country, able to get a doctors appointment. Still had my thick hair and youthful good looks, better eyesight, better golfer, tennis player, footballer. Once had feedback from an interview at Nomura from a friend who was on the team. Attractive female interviewers feedback was ‘he’s really good looking’ and I got offered the role. How the times have changed eh? Sob, sob.

i bet I don’t get an offer from tomorrows interview based on my looks, unless they’re feeling charitable!

[SchumiStars]

I think one of the problems with IT, is that we are often looked down upon by management and non-technicals in the UK. They don't see highly skilled IT workers as any different from low skilled IT workers. Not in all cases, but overall I think we have failed to make the case that we are a professional body that is worthy of respect, like say lawyers, doctors, chartered engineers and so on.

The cheaper option in the minds of management is simply the better option.

Absolutely, positively, agree with this statement. It's partly because IT is usually a massive cost to businesses, without adding any return value to the bottom line. Or well something that can be seen at least.